Manchester United finds itself in a dire state, grappling with a decade of mismanagement that has left the club in a precarious position. The arrival of Ruben Amorim, a coach with a clear vision and a track record of success, was meant to herald a new era. However, the challenges he faces are monumental, and his efforts to impose a coherent system on a dysfunctional squad have so far yielded little success.
The notion of relegation, once unthinkable for a club of United’s stature, has now entered conversations, highlighting the depths to which the team has sunk. While relegation remains unlikely due to the financial structure of modern football and the presence of weaker sides in the league, the fact that such discussions are not dismissed outright is telling. Years of poor decision-making, from haphazard managerial appointments to wasteful spending on unsuitable players, have created a squad lacking identity and cohesion.
Amorim’s approach is clear: instill a defined system, identify who fits within it, and rebuild from there. However, the squad’s composition undermines this strategy. Many players are ill-suited to the roles required by his preferred 3-4-3 formation, leading to disjointed performances and poor results. The midfield pairing of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen, for instance, has been repeatedly exposed, lacking the energy and dynamism needed to compete against high-intensity opponents.
Adding to the difficulties is the broader structural dysfunction at the club. The absence of a unified sporting vision for years has resulted in a fragmented recruitment strategy. Recently, the introduction of multiple sporting directors has only added layers of complexity and confusion. Financial constraints further complicate matters, as compliance with profitability and sustainability rules limits the ability to make sweeping changes in the transfer market.
Amorim’s predicament is compounded by the weight of expectations and the relentless scrutiny that comes with managing a club of United’s size. His insistence on sticking to his principles risks alienating players and fans if results do not improve. Yet, compromising his philosophy could undermine his authority and long-term vision. It’s a delicate balancing act, and the pressure to deliver immediate results while laying the groundwork for future success is immense.
The upcoming match against Liverpool at Anfield represents another daunting challenge. While defensive solidity will likely be the priority, questions remain about how United can generate attacking momentum, particularly against lesser opponents. The need to unleash the wing-backs and integrate wide forwards effectively is crucial but difficult to achieve with the current squad.
Ultimately, the issues at United go far beyond Amorim or his tactical preferences. The club requires a comprehensive overhaul, addressing deep-rooted structural problems that have festered for years. This is not a crisis that can be solved with a single managerial appointment or a tactical tweak. It demands patience, strategic planning, and significant cultural change—a process that could take years to bear fruit.
